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Simon Gonzalez

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Simon is Currently Reading

Simon Gonzalez is currently reading

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

by J.K. Rowling

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in November 2023

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Simon Gonzalez said: " Goblet of Fire’s magic ingredient is its incredible balance. Upon reading this exhilarating and fairly complicated book, I found myself thrilled.

Here we see the trio growing up, developing crushes, learning more magic, and becoming more curious. Harr Goblet of Fire’s magic ingredient is its incredible balance. Upon reading this exhilarating and fairly complicated book, I found myself thrilled.

Here we see the trio growing up, developing crushes, learning more magic, and becoming more curious. Harry is still sassy and determined, and in this book, his life takes a turn that ups the stakes incredibly. Hermione and her S.P.E.W outburst take up center stage in her characterization and we see her not only learn from the magical world around her, but also question it. Ron’s insecurities show more, forcing him to butt heads with Harry and truly find his power and voice as The Chosen One’s best friend.

Additionally, balance— this fourth installment is all about it. Love is in the air— competition, ambition, jealousy. The author does an excellent job portraying the common yet important experiences of early teenage-hood through devices like The Yule Ball. I really enjoyed Krum and Hermione’s dynamic and Ron’s arc within that story. Harry’s nervousness around Cho; Fleur’s change of heart after the second task. And, of course, dear Cedric’s determination to simply do the best that he can do and always proving himself a true Hufflepuff.

On the opposite side of that balance, there is the darkness that lurks throughout. This book begins building on the rise of Lord Voldemort, and we expand upon many areas outside the comfort of Hogwarts, like Azkaban, politics within the Wizarding World, and journalism/media. I loved the way the author incorporated Rita Skeeter into the already complex madness, and I enjoyed seeing Fudge’s stubbornness near the end which will, of course, play a crucial role as the story progresses.

I adored the beginning of this book and how swept-off-my-feet I felt as it jolted me onto the Quidditch World Cup. The set-up that catapults this book’s plot was very successful and it kept me very engaged. Winky, Bagman, and Crouch were very well-developed new characters that each served a purpose in the story in more than one way, which was cool. There’s just something so special and joyous, particularly in this book, about being with the entire Weasley family and traveling and even suffering through the Death Eater attacks.

I definitely think that there are several moments and situations that don’t really make sense, but most can be overlooked for the sake of a very rewarding experience; the plot in this book is complicated, after all. I’m personally not a big fan of the Triwizard Tournament— both because of its absurd nature and my general disinterest. Even then, I pushed through and appreciated the story as a whole; the book is so long that there is plenty to love.

Overall, of course this was fantastic and it still blows my mind how much more complex the story manages to become as the books progress.
Let’s close it with my favorite line said by Sirius:
“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." ...more "

4 hours, 27 min ago · see review

Simon Gonzalez is currently reading

The Informers

by Bret Easton Ellis

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May 10, 2026 05:04PM

Simon’s Quotes

“But thus I counsel you, my friends: Mistrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful. They are people of a low sort and stock; the hangmen and the bloodhound look out of their faces. Mistrust all who talk much of their justice! Verily, their souls lack more than honey. And when they call themselves the good and the just, do not forget that they would be pharisees, if only they had—power.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

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